Method for testing the quality of mobile radio networks

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method of testing the quality of mobile wireless networks which rules out subjective influences as much as possible in the evaluation of quality. 
     According to this invention, a number of test subscribers are equipped with mobile wireless terminals, each being assigned a special telephone number, whereby each test subscriber can communicate over a mobile wireless network selected individually from a quantity of several mobile wireless networks. The selected mobile wireless network is kept anonymous with respect to the test subscriber and is changed at certain intervals. Acquisition of the network quality perceived by the subscribers is performed promptly.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a method of testing the networkquality in mobile wireless networks.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

According to the known state of the art, essentially two types ofnetwork quality tests are performed by each operator of a mobilewireless network. In one, purely technical measurements are made withautomatic, stationary, or mobile systems or test mobile stations, anexample being QVoice from Ascom. In the other, subscribertracking/inquiries by the network operator are made at periodicintervals regarding the network quality as perceived by the subscriber.

In subscriber inquiries regarding the network quality, however, there isthe problem that the perception of the customer or subscriber is usuallyinfluenced by subjective factors such as the image of the networkoperator, advertising, and peer pressure, among others, and thus, thenetwork operator does not receive an objective evaluation of the actualnetwork quality, but instead receives a more or less false evaluation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary purpose of this invention is to provide a method of testingthe quality of mobile wireless networks which rules out subjectiveinfluences as much as possible in the evaluation of quality.

This invention is characterized in that a number of test subscribers areequipped with mobile wireless terminals, each of which is assigned aspecial telephone number, and each test subscriber can communicate overa mobile wireless network selected individually from a quantity ofmultiple mobile wireless networks. The selected mobile wireless networkis kept anonymous with respect to the test subscriber and is changed atcertain intervals, and a prompt determination of the network qualityperceived by the subscribers is implemented.

The advantage of this invention is that due to the anonymization of themobile wireless networks, it is possible to capture the direct customerperception of the network quality, excluding subjective influences, suchas image, advertising, and peer pressure, among others. In addition, themethod according to this invention combines the advantages of thetraditional methods of quality testing, that is, objective measured dataacquisition and feedback from the subscriber's standpoint, and at thesame time it eliminates most of their disadvantages, such as thefeedback of a conversation quality evaluated “by machine” and the effecton the customer feedback by the image of the network operator andadvertising.

The method according to this invention for testing mobile wirelessnetworks is characterized by:

anonymized networks;

regular changing of networks; and

prompt acquisition of impressions as to network quality through regularinterviews.

Anonymization of the mobile wireless networks can be accomplishedaccording to this invention by selectively:

blocking certain telephone number ranges to suppress operator-specificannouncements (conversely: allowing only preselection ranges 02xxthrough 09xx);

blocking operator-specific quick-dial numbers;

suppressing terminal-specific technical features which cancel theblocking;

blocking display with the automated information from the networkoperator and service providers;

suppressing the automatic/manual network dialing (conversely: presetnetwork selection);

blocking features such as SMS (MO, MT, CB) with which one's owntelephone number can be read out or displayed; or

changing the calling card profiles with the following services: onlydomestic telephone; no international roaming coming or going; nomailbox; no fax/data service; no SMS; permanent identificationsuppression CLIR (calling line identification restriction); no callforwarding; blocking 1-800/1-900 numbers.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the reachability of therespective test subscriber via a virtual telephone number assigned tohim personally is ensured during the entire testing period. There iscall forwarding of these virtual telephone numbers to operator-specificcalling card/telephone numbers (SIM card numbers), that is, to a certainmobile wireless network. When changing the mobile wireless network,there is a cyclic exchange of operator-specific calling cards/telephonenumbers with appropriate adaptation of the call forwarding. Anotherpossibility is to perform the exchange of the identical and possiblysealed mobile wireless terminals including the respective calling cards,for example, during regular equipment maintenance, and thus in a mannerthat is not trackable for the test subscriber.

A central neutral interview office (agency) is preferably established sothat a daily, weekly, or monthly polling and hotline consultation oftest subscribers can be performed. The acquisition, processing, andanalysis of the results likewise take place through this agency oranother one.

In the tracking of the test subscribers, supplementary questionnairesare used, such as a daily, weekly, and monthly questionnaire (afterchanging networks) and a concluding questionnaire at the end of thetest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The objects, advantages and features of the invention will be moreclearly perceived from the following detailed description, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing activation of test subscribers in thevarious networks; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the linkage of the instancesparticipating in the test and their interaction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to FIG. 1, the network operator provides a certain number (198here) of virtual mobile wireless telephone numbers 1, each of which isassigned to a corresponding number of test subscribers. The testsubscribers can be reached at their particular virtual telephone numbersduring the test subscriber relationship. These telephone numbers areselected so that no information is provided regarding the mobilewireless network used, for example, D1, D2, and E-plus in Germany.Telephone numbers of the test subscribers are assigned in equal numbersto one of the mobile wireless networks D1, D2, and E-plus, that is, therespective test subscriber communicates exclusively over the mobilewireless network assigned to him at that moment. For this purpose it isnecessary to set up call forwarding 2, which images the virtualtelephone number assigned to the subscriber on a telephone number whichactually exists in the respective mobile wireless network 3. By changingthe call forwarding 2, the mobile wireless network assigned to asubscriber is changed at certain intervals. For example, if a testperiod of three months is provided, a one-month period of using one ofthe mobile wireless networks D1, D2, and E-plus, respectively, isenabled for the test subscriber.

Thus, 66 subscribers are always enabled in one of the mobile wirelessnetworks at a time, so the networks are exchanged cyclically, as shownin box 4.

The subscribers can, of course, be reached at their virtual telephonenumbers not only in the mobile wireless networks, but also from fixednetworks 5.

The assignment of the virtual telephone numbers and the call forwardingare managed internally by the network operator, or by an authorizedagent performing the test, or both.

Use of the mobile wireless networks and fixed networks provided for thetest takes place externally from the network operator.

In order for the mobile wireless network currently being used by thesubscribers to remain anonymous, all functions and services which couldprovide the subscriber with an indication of the mobile wireless networkbeing used by the subscriber are blocked or turned off, or both, for theduration of the test. This is an important aspect of the inventionbecause the subscribers should be prevented from allowing theirsubjective perceptions to influence the test appraisal.

To rule out any other subjective influences, the manufacturer of themobile wireless terminals used in the test could also be madeunidentifiable. Of course, all the test subscribers are equipped withthe same mobile wireless terminal.

FIG. 2 shows an overview of the linkage of the instances involved in thetest and their interaction.

Mobile wireless network operator 6 makes available to agency 7performing the test a number of mobile wireless terminals 10. Agency 7manages these terminals and makes them available to test subscribers 8.After the end of the test, the terminals are returned to the networkoperator and are available for subsequent tests 11.

The test subscribers 8 conclude a test customer contract 14 with networkoperator 6 and in doing so they receive a calling card for operation ofthe terminal. This calling card contains their personal virtualtelephone number at which they can be reached during the test.

Monthly accounting 15 is handled as usual through network operator 6.

The acquisition of test subscribers and consulting with them are theresponsibility of the commissioned agency 12. Customer inquiries arealso managed by the agency over a special hotline 13.

Furthermore, agency 7 performs regular inquiries of the test subscribersregarding the network quality. This is done in writing or orally and ispreferably done daily and at the conclusion of the test series 12.Agency 7 also performs and controls the changes in the mobile wirelessnetwork used by subscribers 8 during the test.

Agency 7 supplies statistics and reports on the course and the result ofthe test 16 to network operator 6 daily or weekly during the period ofthe test.

On the other hand, network operator 6 advises agency 7 with regard totechnical and subscribers-specific questions 17.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for testing the quality of mobilewireless networks, the method comprising: equipping a number of testsubscribers with mobile wireless terminals, each being assigned aspecial telephone number, whereby each test subscriber can communicateover a mobile wireless network selected individually from a quantity ofseveral mobile wireless networks; keeping the selected mobile wirelessnetwork anonymous with respect to the test subscriber; changing theselected mobile wireless network at certain intervals; and implementinga prompt acquisition of the network quality perceived by thesubscribers.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mobilewireless networks are changed in a rotating manner.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the mobile wireless networks areanonymized by selectively: blocking certain telephone number ranges tosuppress operator-specific announcements; blocking operator-specificquick-dial numbers; suppressing terminal-specific technical featureswhich cancel the blocking; blocking display with automated informationfrom the network operators and service providers; suppressingautomatic/manual network dialing or preset network selection; blockingfeatures such as SMS (MO, MT, CB) with which one's own telephone numbercan be read out or displayed; or changing the calling card profiles withthe following services, as selected: only domestic telephony; nointernational roaming coming or going; no mailbox; no fax/data service;no SMS; permanent suppression of identification; no call forwarding;blocking 1-800/1-900 numbers.
 4. The method according to claim 2,wherein the mobile wireless networks are anonymized by selectively:blocking certain telephone number ranges to suppress operator-specificannouncements; blocking operator-specific quick-dial numbers;suppressing terminal-specific technical features which cancel theblocking; blocking display with automated information from the networkoperators and service providers; suppressing automatic/manual networkdialing or preset network selection; blocking features such as SMS (MO,MT, CB) with which one's own telephone number can be read out ordisplayed; or changing the calling card profiles with the followingservices, as selected: only domestic telephony; no international roamingcoming or going; no mailbox; no fax/data service; no SMS; permanentsuppression of identification; no call forwarding; blocking 1-800/1-900numbers.
 5. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein themobile wireless terminals are identical and sealed.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the special telephone numberis a virtual telephone number assigned individually to the testsubscriber.
 7. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein thevirtual telephone number is assigned to an operator-specific telephonenumber of the selected mobile wireless network by way of a callforwarding function.
 8. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4,wherein the network quality is determined by tracking of the testsubscribers on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, or at any desiredpoint in time.
 9. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, whereinthe tracking of the test subscribers is performed by a neutral centraloffice.
 10. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, whereinacquisition, processing and analysis of the results of the tracking areperformed in the central office.